The Big Picture

In the aftermath of the September 11, 2001 attack on America, the official response read into the Congressional record included a quote from scripture - "“The bricks have fallen down, but we will rebuild with dressed stone;the fig trees have been felled, but we will replace them with cedars.” (Isaiah 9:10. NIV). Our leaders, with the best of intentions, unwittingly pronounced judgment on America. Had they studied the scripture in context (or even read one preceeding verse), they would have realized that the scripture was an ancient vow of defiance in the face of God's warning. Instead of repenting and turning to God, Israel swore they could rebuild and become stronger by their own strength. 9/11 was a wake-up call to America that brought about very little long-lasting Christian revival.

On Friday, I was encouraged to hear our President quote from the Bible in his response to the senseless school massacre in Connecticut. The Lord, he said, will heal the brokenhearted and bind up their wounds. It's a direct quote from both Isaiah 61:1-2, and Psalms 147:3.  Readers, I encourage you strongly to read these entire chapters in context. I believe that through the words spoken by the leader of our country, God is presenting us with a strong and encouraging message.

Psalms 147 is a song of praise to God, who led Israel out of exile and back to their homeland. The words lovingly demonstrate how faithful and good our Lord is to a nation that honors and reveres His name, His commands, and His words. 

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of the warrior; the Lord delights in those who fear him; who put their hope in his unfailing love. (v. 10-11)

What is God saying? He doesn't care how strong we think we are, the might of our military, how many gun laws we put in place, or how many locks we put on our doors. He wants our nation's obedience. What is the result of a nation that fears God?

He grants peace to your borders and satisfies you with the finest of wheat (v. 14).

Similarly, Isaiah 61 promises hope for a nation that follows Jehovah God!

They will rebuild the ancient ruins and restore the places long devastated; they will renew the ruined cities that have been devastated for generations. (v. 4)

Why does God allow violence and bloodshed? I daresay we allowed it, America. We have created a culture of hatred, violence, greed, selfishness and immorality. We have turned our collective backs on God. We have called "good" what He calls "sin." We are thumbing our noses at His word. We preach a snowy white feel good seeker-friendly message to build our mega-churches, and rob God's people of the truth they need to hear. All the while, God cries right with us in our own self-inflicted pain and suffering. 

“For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and wrongdoing." (v. 6)

I often shake my head at the news on television. I sigh heavily, and go back to my business. But this time, I cried. I cried for the children, for the parents, for the community of Newtown, and for America. I prayed, but hardly knew what to say except, "Lord, comfort the familes. And please, forgive our nation."

I hope and pray that President Obama's words bring comfort to America. But I also pray fervently that we all get the big picture... the entire message God would have us hear. Turn away from sin. Turn to God.  He loves us enough to give us the encouragement we need. 

Let's take the hint.

Eleven Eleven

I remember.
I remember exactly where I was when I heard the news about the World Trade Center attacks in New York City on September 11, 2001. The odd thing is, it took some time before I understood what was really unfolding.
I was working at a radio station in Gladwin, Michigan. I had been hired in as a reporter, but the station was slowly weaning that responsibility from me as they shifted their emphasis away from local news. Just before our national news break at the top of the hour, I got a phone call from one of our salespeople. She told me that a plane had crashed into the World Trade Center. My reaction was, "Oh, wow."  That's it. Just, "Oh, wow." In my mind, I was thinking of a small two passenger airplane that got off course... certainly not a jet. I thanked her, and made a quick mention of it leading up to the newscast.
We had no television at the radio station, and that first national broadcast didn't provide a lot of detail. We continued playing country music after the news break, updating weather, announcing songs as normal. Then I got the second call. Another plane had crashed into the towers. This time I remember clearly saying, "Oh... this is no accident!"
The rest of the morning, I felt hopeless. Just hopeless. We turned our programming over to the network for wall-to-wall coverage. We interviewed a local Pastor to have him pray on the air for our country. My reporter's "nose for news" began searching for any local angle. I called one of our legislators in Lansing to see what precautions, if any, were being taken at the State Capitol. His aide called later to say they were shutting down the building.
Then... a plane struck the Pentagon. Another went down in Pennsylvania. That's when I got scared. When would it stop? How far would this go? Were any of us safe? It was obvious that we were at war. Osama Bin Laden had already set off one explosive at the WTC years earlier. He was #1 on the FBI's Most Wanted List. I had no doubt he was behind this attack as well.
It wasn't until mid-afternoon when I arrived home that I was actually able to turn on a television and see what was happening. I couldn't watch, yet couldn't look away. How could this be happening in our country?
The following Sunday, I became a statistic. I joined with millions of others who hadn't set foot in a church for months or even years. I prayed. I called out to God.
Then I forgot about Him.
Yet a seed was planted in my life that week. God began to turn up the volume and draw me back to Him. Not to organized religion... but to Him. It would take another eight months, but eventually I found a new church family, re-dedicated my life to Christ, and began a new chapter that would lead to my becoming a Pastor.
On September 11, 2011, the tenth anniversary of the attacks, our church honored and celebrated our fallen heroes, our government, and local police officers in our Sunday services. Two of our township officers were in the service, and received a standing ovation. It was my proudest moment to date as a minister.
Romans 8:28 promises that all things work for the good for those who love the Lord, and are called according to His purposes. That has certainly been true of the 911 story in my life. Today, I honor the heroes who fought and died that day, by dedicating my life fully, 100% to God.
By doing so, I'm better equipped to serve others to the best of my ability, and snatch the lost from the fire.

I Am Second

I don't know when I've been more jazzed about preaching. Beginning Labor Day Weekend, and for six consecutive sermons, I'll be sharing the message, "I Am Second." It all started when one of my board members sent me a video testimony from Clayton Kershaw of the LA Dodgers. In it, he talked of his relationship with Jesus Christ, and how nothing is more important than putting his Savior first. Turns out "I Am Second" is an entire movement, and their web site features dozens of amazing testimonies. I picked up the "I Am Second" book and blasted right through it. Before I was even halfway through, I knew that this message needed to be shared with the church.

It's raw. It's gritty. It's life changing. This series of messages will pull no punches. It will offend, it will inspire, and it will be unlike anything I've preached before. I feel God's hand in this already as He gives vision, ideas, and illustrations. And I haven't even written a word of the first sermon.

So what's the big deal? Here it is: Jesus died for me. For me! I can't think of a more humiliating, slow, and excruciatingly  painful way to die than having spikes driven through your hands and feet, bleeding profusely and gasping for the smallest breath while on display for people to laugh and mock.  Jesus took all this after he was beaten and scourged to within an inch of his life. For me! Why? Because he loved me, even when I didn't love Him. That's the part I can't wrap my mind around. I was an enemy of Christ, living for myself, living in the world, and ignoring Him. I stayed home on Sundays. I was deep in sin. I knew for years what Christ had done for me, but lived for myself. I didn't even give Him an hour of my time on His day. The only time I prayed was when I needed something. Can you imagine? Like He hasn't done enough for me already by dying for me when I was literally his ENEMY????

How can I put myself first when Jesus did all that for me? How dare I put anything - ANYTHING above my relationship with Him? This is about more than coming to church. It's about honor.

I Am Second. And that's a good place to be. 

I Don't Miss My Addiction

It's been more than 3 weeks since I swore off Facebook. I've only been on to check the church site, and once changed my profile picture to support Chik-Fil-A Appreciation Day. Other than that, I've kept to my vow to remain Facebook free for 30 days, and then decide where to go from there.

No need to wait. I've made up my mind. In the last 23 days I have:

-Slept better
-Read two books
-Finished my work early
-Spent more time with my son
-Lost 7 pounds
-Endured less stress about trivial matters
-Felt no need to let the whole online world know I just had a pancake for breakfast

I once had a dentist tell me that if you can get used to flossing for two straight weeks, you will make it a habit. I suppose that's true for just about anything you want to accomplish. Being without Facebook for over three weeks has been an absolute joy. No doubt, the first week or so was tough, but looking back now I can hardly believe how much time I was wasting and mental energy I was expending. I was truly trapped, and that's a very hard thing to admit. 

So I'm done with Facebook. And it feels good. God has taught me that I can accomplish a lot more on my knees talking to Him than arguing with the world from a keyboard.

The world will just have to assume I'm having pancakes for breakfast. And they're probably right.

I'm Feeling MUCH Better, Now

Day four (or 3 and a half) of my Facebook fast, and I must admit... I'm already feeling better. I had no idea the extent of the negative toll it was taking on me.

The timing has been really amazing, because in our church's New Testament reading schedule, we're currently going through Paul's letters to Timothy. Young Timothy was a preacher, Paul's protoge, and a man who was prone to stomach problems and discouragement.

Hello.

I've read I and II Timothy many times before, but never under the kind of stress I've been enduring lately. I've never read it when my heart has been so broken for friends, family and acquaintances who are caught up in the worldly deceptions of the last days. So when I re-read II Timothy Chapter 2 this afternoon, the words hit me square between the eyes. Paul knew Timothy's heart for people, and instructed him how to handle the persecution and stress that he was under.

Don’t have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will.  (II Timothy 2:23-26).


That's exactly why I've taken an extended break from social networking. I'm tired of the arguments, quarreling, and misunderstandings. I can look back and honestly say I've done my level best to respond in truth and love whenever I've been questioned about trying to live up to God's standards. The world is becoming less God-like and more evil every day. I'm not perfect, and I don't pretend to be. But I do my best to read God's word and follow His commands. What breaks me up is this: I watched two teenage girls on the Anderson Cooper show proclaim their love for God, their respect for their parents, and repeat their written vows to remain sexually pure until marriage. Cooper and his audience took them downtown for making such a horrible vow! Saving themselves for marriage? Who do they think they are? A short time later, the media celebrated Mr. Cooper's announcement that he believes he's a homosexual. 

But God forbid that I should pray for Mr. Cooper, because that makes me a judgmental hater. God forbid that I should stand up for morality in any form, because it might make people feel bad. God forbid that we should simply repeat the words of our Creator. 

So as it turns out, I've done exactly as Paul prescribed. Do my best to be kind, pray daily that I don't resent those who oppose me, and pray that God will show my friends His truth through His word. It was the last part of the verse though, that really struck me... hard. The devil has taken them captive to do his will.


They're drowning, and don't even know it. God wants to throw them a lifeline, but they refuse to accept it. That's what hurts the most. 


Fasting and praying can change hearts. Arguing on a social networking site... not so much. 

Why I'm Leaving Facebook

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things." - Philippians 4:8


I've had enough.


There comes a point when you just have to walk away, and that time has come. I'm walking away from Facebook and all of its drama, lies, misunderstandings and time-wasting activities. As much as I have enjoyed meeting up and keeping in touch with old friends, making new ones and even touching base with famous celebrities, I've found myself more frustrated and increasingly angry with what I see.


I've come to believe that as useful as social networking is, it has become twice as dangerous. Ideas are exchanged, half-truths and outright lies are wrapped up in cute little packages and circulated around the globe, and we've become a people that turn to the opinions of people we hardly know to shape our sense of truth and morality. God is lost in the mix. The new morality has become, "Truth can be whatever makes me happy. So your truth can be yours, and mine is mine." There's no more black and white. The line between right and wrong has become more than muddled... it has been erased.


I'd like to believe the best of people, but too many of us are putting everything out there for the world to see. Quite frankly, there are things I'd just rather not know. I've made friends and lost them because of the power of a few words tapped out on a keyboard. We have forgotten how to communicate. Try to share a truth with love and respect, and you're likely to be called every name in the book... and then some. Oh, it's so much easier to criticize when you don't have to look someone in the eye. Trouble is, that sort of behavior gets into your heart and becomes a part of you. And I don't like what Facebook is doing to me.


Facebook is making me sad. Just sad. It has left me lonely, hurt, and in physical pain as I see just how far we've fallen as a people. You may think I'm taking this thing too far... but I love God and I love His people with all my heart. And to see what's being said, posted, told and believed in cyberspace is breaking my heart every time I log on.


For the next 30 days, I won't be on Facebook, other than to update the church FB page and events pages. It's my hope that a 30 day Facebook fast will lead to a permanent one. We'll see. If God so chooses, He can heal my heart and strengthen me to the point that I can return. But right now, anything that hinders my relationship with Him has got to go. Facebook is number one on that list. 


 

Here We Go... Again

Bible scholars might recall the story of the woman with the issue of blood. She had been sick for years, and Mark 5:26 tells us, "She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse."

Wow... can I relate.

It all started with an infected front tooth I chipped when I was a kid. As an adult, it turned brown and died. I had a root canal done several years ago, and spent weeks having it bleached white from the inside out. For about two years, it was okay... then began to shift. It left a gap that would make T.D. Jakes jealous. So, after visiting the dentist in November of 2010, they recommended I have it pulled 70 miles away in Gaylord, and replaced with a permanent implant. So that's what I did. Well, I had it pulled anyway.

Three months after having the tooth pulled, I traveled 70 miles back to Gaylord to have the metal screw drilled in my mouth that would hold the implant in place. "Oh no," I was told. "We're just checking today to make sure we can go ahead." So they checked. Yep, all set. But they wouldn't have another appointment until May. So, a three month delay. In May, after another 140-mile round trip, they put in the screw, which would have to heal for three months before I could have the new tooth. Okay, so... we're looking at August. 8 months with no tooth. Frustrating.

July came along, and I kept feeling something funky in my mouth. I got curious enough to look, only to discover that the screw was sticking out of my gums. Lovely. I called Gaylord. Another trip. "Yep, that's a problem. Come back and we'll take it out." So, another long trip a few days later. Now we're back to ground zero. Another three month wait before they can put the screw back in. Now... we're looking at October for the new implant, and likely January before the new tooth.

October comes around. "Looks good," the dentist said after I drove another 70 miles to see him. "Let's give it another month." November. Marathon Gas station erects a statue in my name. The Dr. puts the new screw in. "I'll see you February 14th to check it, and then your dentist will put the new tooth in." Valentine's Day, another trip to Gaylord, another 3 minute appointment, and he tells me that in two weeks, the dentist at home can put the tooth in. So, I call the dentist at home. They'll call me in a couple weeks. Two weeks go by. A month. Six weeks. Finally, after two months, I call. "Oh, you're ready now? Good!  We're glad you called."

ARE YOU KIDDING ME????????????????

Oh, but they weren't ready to put the tooth in. Nope. First they have to clear some of the gum away that's grown around the new screw because we've waited so long.  Bite lip, bite lip.  They freeze me up, and begin to unscrew the healing cap....

"Did your dentist in Gaylord have to do this over? I don't have a tool that will fit this. We'll have to reschedule." Yep. The dentist's office didn't listen to me, or check the notes they had in their hands from the dentist in Gaylord. So... another two weeks to wait until the tool comes in. Two weeks go by, I'm back in the chair again for impressions. Yep, we got 'em. See you in 30 days for the implant.

Four days later.  The phone rings. They want to do the impressions over. I won't tell you what I thought, because unfortunately, it wasn't very Christian of me. I'm scheduled for the new tooth, once and for all, on May 30th, 17 months after the tooth was pulled.

Anybody want to bet it doesn't fit?

Oh... and here's the best part. In the midst of all this, my hip started burning like fire. I went to the doctor, they took x-rays (which they showed me) that indicated arthritis. There's no cartilage in my right hip. I'm walking bone on bone. Off to the Orthopedic Surgeon, who somehow saw cartilage that wasn't there, gave me a shot of Cortisone, and sent me on my merry way. A month later, still in pain, he prescribed 6 weeks of physical therapy. Well, 6 weeks turned into 12 with another Cortisone shot because of course... the cartilage that isn't there that the doctor says is there isn't feeling better like he says it should. So, after yet another shot of Cortisone,  he referred me to a back doctor. For my hip.

I'm asking for a referral for a headache doctor. I'm getting very sore from banging my head against this brick wall.